In a harrowing lawsuit filed on February 14, 2025, in Harris County, Texas, a plaintiff identified as S.Y.C. alleges that he endured over a decade of abuse while under the care of state and private child welfare agencies. The complaint was lodged against Pathways Youth and Family Services, Inc., the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHS), and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS). This case shines a spotlight on systemic failures within Texas' foster care system that allegedly led to the plaintiff's prolonged suffering.
The plaintiff, S.Y.C., accuses the defendants of gross negligence resulting in his placement with an abusive adoptive parent. According to the petition, S.Y.C. spent nearly 12 years in various foster care settings across Texas, where he was subjected to physical, mental, and sexual abuse. The complaint highlights that these organizations failed in their duty to properly investigate and monitor his placements. It is alleged that this negligence culminated in his adoption by Hayim Nissim Cohen—a man described as a sadistic pedophile—who further abused him alongside other adopted boys.
The narrative unfolds with chilling details: from being transferred between psychiatric hospitals and residential treatment centers to finally being placed with Cohen despite numerous red flags about his suitability as a caregiver. The complaint recounts how Cohen managed to deceive authorities by providing false information about his identity and background. It is alleged that Cohen exploited these vulnerabilities within the system to continue receiving government benefits while perpetrating abuse.
S.Y.C.'s legal team argues that both state agencies and Pathways Youth and Family Services exhibited "deliberate indifference" towards his safety. They claim these entities failed to conduct basic background checks or verify Cohen's credentials before placing children in his care. The lawsuit points out multiple instances where allegations of abuse were either ignored or inadequately investigated by Child Protective Services (CPS).
Seeking justice for the trauma endured, S.Y.C. requests relief through actual damages exceeding $10 million for physical pain, mental anguish, lost wages, medical expenses, loss of enjoyment of life, and exemplary damages due to gross negligence. Additionally, they seek attorney fees under federal civil rights statutes.
Representing S.Y.C., attorneys Alton C. Todd from The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd and Sherry Scott Chandler from Chandler Law LLP are advocating for accountability against systemic failures they argue have plagued Texas' foster care system for years. The case is presided over by Judge Kerryione Asbemy under Case ID 2025-10740.